Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge

The Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge was designated in 2010. It was dedicated to fallen veterans of all the U.S. Military Services, in all American wars and conflicts. The bridge is a 4-lane span along old Route 66, which is the primary east-west access road into the city of Vinita, Oklahoma from the east. It crosses Bull Creek within the city limits and permits easy and quick access to the city center. The bridge is constructed of concrete and steel, with concrete sidewalks and steel guardrails on both sides. Four tall, stylish black metal light poles are set along the north side to provide lighting for the span at night. (Note: Vinita is a city in Craig County, Oklahoma in the northeast corner of the State. It is the County Seat of Craig County, with a population of 5,563 (2016). It was established in 1871, and incorporated in “Indian Territory” in 1898, before statehood. The city is named for American sculptor Lavinia “Vinnie” Ream, who is best known for her statue of Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Capital rotunda. Vinita was the first city in Oklahoma with electricity, and the second oldest city in the State. Located in the city are: Eastern State Hospital, a state mental health facility; the headquarters for Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA); and the world's largest (in terms of area) McDonald's restaurant which bridges over Interstate I-44. Vinita is also the site of the annual Will Rogers Rodeo, sponsored by the local American Legion since 1935. The rodeo attracts the nation’s best rodeo performers with a large purse, outstanding competition, and its size and hospitality, to make it one of the biggest and best rodeo events in the land.)